Before Peter O’Toole tackles the building of Canada’s railway in CBC’s Iron Road, he will star as the ‘aging mentor’ in the Lionsgate Entertainment feature Christmas Cottage.

Shooting April 25 to May 25 in Fort Langley, Langley and Aldergrove outside Vancouver, Christmas Cottage is inspired by the life and art of painter Thomas Kinkade and tells the story of how a small community helps save his home, teaching the young artist the meaning of love and friendship along the way.

Along with O’Toole, the cast includes Jared Padalecki (Supernatural), Marcia Gay Harden (Pollack), Aaron Ashmore (Smallville), Richard Moll (Night Court), Chris Elliot (Everybody Loves Raymond), Tegan Moss (Robson Arms) and Nancy Robertson (Corner Gas).

Michael Campus, producer of 1995’s Hiroshima, returns to directing for the first time since The Passover Plot in 1976. Ken LaZebnik (Star Trek: Enterprise) wrote the script. Lionsgate’s production partners include Firm Entertainment, Birch Grove Films, Sterling Media and Radiant Productions. It is expected in theaters Dec. 14.